Guy Blogger vs. Girl Blogger: The True Cost of a First Date

"Now a typical first date costs me about $12, I believe. Many first dates only last for one drink, and I would guess I pay for both mine and hers slightly more than half the time. (This decision being the one part of dating that never gets less awful or awkward.) Sometimes I manage to get out after paying for just myself (Guinness, $7 incl. tip.) Other times a date will progress to 2nd and 3rd drinks, by which time, in nearly every case, we each pay for our own drinks. These dates cost me about $20-25, but they are less common than the $7-14 dates. So, doing some wild guessing, this brings me to an average of $12 for a first date. I could be hopelessly wrong about that, but let's go with it."

Here's what I'd say to this guy--if he thinks dating's a costly habit, let's examine an extreme case of the spending habits of a particularly neurotic urban female with disposable-ish income before she even gets to the date, exponentially increased 5% more for how much she likes the dude:

$70 for a nice backless top that you don't realize at the time that you can't wear a bra with.$30 for these ridiculous nipple concealers that look like chicken bites.$45 for a blow-out.$70 for a wax.$10 for eyebrow threading.$50 for hot shoes.$0.99 for a Beyonc?� song on iTunes.$50 for a more casual top when you feel weird about the chicken bites and worry that he's going to feel them.$30 for a soothing mini-facial to boost your confidence/remind you that he totally shouldn't be touching your breasts on the first date, because "he's gotta work for it"$0.99 for another Beyonc?� song on iTunes.$50 for a different shirt.$40 for one new beauty product that feels essential for This Magic Night.$0.30 for a text message to your friend: "If you never see me again, his name is Jason and we are going to a bar underground."$10 for insoles for hot shoes.$12 for insoles that are slightly better.$9 for a cab.

Total:$478.28.

So, yeah, I think you can buy me a Stella or two when I get there.

Can you guys estimate your dating finances? What do you think of mine?